Cooperative Extension reflects on successful 2012

The Yadkin County Cooperative Extension held its annual report to the people on March 18.

The organization reported that it had several accomplishments in 2012. It had a reported 10,418 face-to-face contacts with residents, 9,298 non face-to-face contacts, 362 volunteers in various extension programs, 1,016 hours of volunteer service for a total value of $20,574 for those hours if they were paid $20.25 an hour.

The organization also reported a total of 99 programs conducted by extension staff, 10 volunteer advisory leadership groups and $8,000 in non-county extension program funds received.

Melissa Staebner, an Extension Agent for 4-H and Youth Development, presented on the programs in her department. Staebner said that 1,057 youth who gained knowledge in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), 50 teachers who used the 4-H STEM curriculum in their classrooms.

Staebner also noted that 80 high school aged youth who participated in 4-H clubs, 68 youths who participated in the 4-H dropout prevention program and 56 youth who increased or improved their knowledge, attitudes, skills and/or aspirations regarding leadership.

Staebner pointed out the department’s CSI summer camp program that allows students the opportunity to spend a week learning about forensic science, criminal investigations, canine drug developments and courtroom proceedings.

Staebner also bragged on her 4-H participants who prepared 40 dozen Christmas cookies which they delivered to Yadkin Christian Ministries because they wanted to provide for those who had less than they did last Christmas.

Family and consumer sciences department reported an increase of 399 youth who increased their fruit and vegetable consumption in 2012, 500 participants who increased their physical activity.

A total of 349 adults reported to have increased their vegetable and fruit intake, 55 adults who reduced their total cholesterol, 180 people who gained basic financial management knowledge and skills and 83 people who gained knowledge or skills to increase family economic security due to programs offered by Cooperative Extension.

Marilyn Wells, Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, said that 2013 is the bicentennial year for the Community Association and that they plan to celebrate the milestone with events throughout the year.

The organization also reported 75 animal producers implementing Extension-recommended best management practices for animal waste management and 9,000 acres where Extension recommended waste analysis was used for proper land application.

Cooperative Extension Director Colleen Church reported that the Extension’s chemical waste container collected 387 one-gallon containers, 2,500 two and a half gallon containers and 37 five-gallon containers for a total of 2,180 total pounds of plastic that would not be sent to the county landfill.

Church noted that Cooperative Extension must continue to work on educating farmers how to properly clean and prepare the containers before disposing of them because several individuals are still not adhering to the containers policies.

Extension agents announced that the annual Yadkin County Farmer’s Market would resume on May 7 at the location off Tennessee Road beside Yadkinville Community Park.

Church also announced that the market has plans to extend its business to another day but is not prepared to announce the day of the week that will be right now.

Reach Lindsay Craven at 679-2341 or at lcraven@civitasmedia.com.

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